Nuclear industry

Virtual reality:

The interface of the future

Operate using virtual reality for increased safety and precision, as well as reduced costs.

What exactly is „virtual reality“?“Virtual reality, VR for short, projects the representation and simultaneous experience of reality and its physical features into a computer-generated, interactive virtual environment in real-time.“

Integration: collision avoidance; prevention of collisions includes fields of application such as ATEX

Working in real-time: minimise mental stress

Automation: planning, generation and execution of work paths is possible automatically

Convincing technical features of virtual reality:

Working in real-time means that the command to the operating elements is transmitted to the simulation almost immediately. The operator thus has direct feedback and can react intuitively to force feedback, for instance.

Virtual reality is particularly persuasive because of its:

variety of control modes e.g.

movement of camera angle

rotation around the mid-point of the tool respectively the gripper

regulate minimum distance

check and regulation of space between the arm and the environment or the arm and the arm

automatic stop when it reaches the minimum distance

collision monitoring

prevents self-collision and collision between arm and environment

can also be used between several dynamic and static objects

working area pre-calculation

feedback on attainable points by visualising a scatter plot

facilitates visualisation of the field of vision

paths planning

learned points can be automatically generated as a path

display of single points, passing through as a complete motion path

smooths out linear and point-to-point paths

Motion, particularly in inaccessible, complex and hazardous environments can be planned, controlled and thus made safer. The motion of the manipulator respectively of the robot is tangibly more precise and tasks are implemented noticeably more quickly and efficiently.

Obvious cost savings with virtual test environments

save on complex test beds: Up to now sensitive assignments were tested and trained on complex test beds. Commissioning these systems takes time and is therefore very cost-intensive. With virtual reality a test environment that is close to reality can be created quickly and more cheaply.

virtual test bed: The test environment can be virtually constructed in a very short space of time. Planned operations can be trained as often as necessary without the risk of injury, damage or wear. As a result, no manipulators or robots are used for training: A further factor in noticeable cost savings.

High safety and reduced mental stress

With the motto „Practice makes perfect“ operating personnel can practice in a virtual reality environment until they are confident. Practise safely with virtual reality:

avoids damage to equipment, vessel and robot

avoids potential injury to personnel

avoids potentially hazardous situations (e.g. ATEX)

Users also benefit from the advantages generated by virtual reality. You are no longer under pressure in the workplace because you might damage an expensive vessel or piece of equipment. This burden is taken over by simulations, collision detection and minimum distance regulators. The user thus experiences a feeling of safety and gains in self-confidence and well-being.

It is obvious, then, that virtual reality not only unburdens the user but can also make massive savings in cost and a clear contribution to much increased workplace safety.